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Self and Motivational Systems presents a foundation for a psychoanalytic exploratory technique based on self and motivational systems: from an overarching self-psychological perspective the work covers psychoanalytic theory, human infant research and development, and clinical experience. The authors propose five distinct motivational systems - psychological entities with probable neuro-physiological correlates, built on fundamental needs, and based on observable behaviours first noted in the neonatal period, which “function to develop, maintain, and restore the cohesiveness of a self or self-organization” (p 3) - psychic regulation of physiological requirements, attachment and later affiliation; exploration and assertion; aversive reaction through antagonism or withdrawal (or both); and sensual enjoyment and excitement.
The authors argue for a reconceptualization of psychoanalytic technique and interventions based on “experience-near” clinical rather than “experience-distant” metapsychological aspects of theory, and on a clinical perspective explained through the five motivational systems and the cohesiveness of the self The analyst explores the analysand from an empathic-introspective position, attempting to understand the selfobject experience which is
at the center of the organization of the analysand's associations and communications [T]he less often considered analyst's expectations of evoking a selfobject experience from the work with the analysand [is] at the center of the analyst's association and communications [p. 5]
In other words, the analysand seeks to achieve a vitalizing selfobject experience with the analyst, and the analyst seeks to achieve a sense of efficacy and competence from the analysand Throughout the book the authors return to a central theme, the function of self and selfobject experiences within the analytic relationship